Indies will have to work even harder on recruitment amid summer sta ng woes

By Greg Pitcher

With a summer sta ng crisis looming independent retailers will need to plan carefully, work their contacts and o er any bene ts they can, industry members told FFD Hospitality job vacancies are reportedly running almost 50% higher than they were in 2019, according to trade body UK Hospitality. Small shops have also warned of “signi cant challenges” to attracting and retaining workers.

Many delis and farm shops see increased trade over the summer – a time when regular employees take holidays, leaving them heavily reliant on seasonal hiring activity.

Emma Mosey, co-owner of Minskip Farm Shop and chair of the Farm Retail Association, said it had been a “tricky few years” with people leaving the UK due to lockdowns and

Brexit.

“The key is to think a few months ahead and look for younger members of sta ,” she said. “There are 16-18-year-olds looking for work in the school holidays. They do need a lot more training, so you have to plan ahead to get them ready”

Retention of existing sta was crucial to reduce the need to hire and train new faces, Mosey added. “O er them what you can, whether it is an extra day of annual leave or health insurance, it makes a di erence.”

Leeds Deli raises £12,000 to set up child-focused second site

A small food retailer in West Yorkshire has raised more than £12,000 by crowdfunding for a second premises focused on parents and young children.

The business will use the £12,862 raised to prepare its Little Leeds café and play space next door on Chelwood Drive.

More than 200 people donated to the project, earning rewards including a place on a ‘wall of fame’ and branded tote bags. Works required include knocking down walls, rewiring, plumbing and tiling as well as installing a play structure and furnishing the cafe.

The Leeds Deli sells a range of baked and storecupboard goods as well as offering artisan pizzas on weekend evenings.It also has a small area for children that has been overwhelmed by demand. businesses with signs up.

“Our tiny little play area at The Leeds Deli just can’t keep up so we’re moving it next door,” said the Crowdfunder page.

The new venue will make an area available to hire for private workshops and events.

“We want Little Leeds to be your home away from home and to know it has been somewhat funded by our amazing community, gritted determination and hard work,” added the fundraising plea.

“You have to work harder on recruitment now,” he added. “If you have good contacts and treat people well, then it can be done.”

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT... … RETAINING STAFF WITH WAGES AND BENEFITS

Mark Kacary, co-owner of the Norfolk Deli, said the family-run Hunstanton business o en used its own networks to nd summer sta .

“My wife and I work seven days a week and we’ve had one day o this year,” he said. “The café is run by my soon-to-be daughterin-law, who helps ll spaces when the rush starts by reaching out to fellow hospitality workers.”

Kacary said he had noticed fewer European workers in the area since Brexit and regularly sees

Je Moody, commercial director at the British Independent Retailers Association, said small shop owners were anxious about the summer and beyond, faced with a tight labour market and increased competition.

“Many retailers are now exploring options such as adjusting their opening hours to adapt to the scarcity of available workforce.”

Moody called on ministers to come together with the industry to nd solutions to the current crisis.

“Through innovative strategies and collective e orts, we can navigate these labour market challenges and ensure the long-term success of independent retailers.”

Soil Association’s BOOM awards crown 2023 organic winners

The Winner of inners roduct award went to rown ow s efir Fermented Yoghurt while the The Nation’s Favourite – based on a public vote –prize went to Clearspring for its Organic Tofu.

“We are the essence of a family business. We have a reputation as being a nice place to work, there are perks and benefits to employment over and above the pay. If you don’t feel happy and appreciated you won’t work somewhere for long. You have to work harder on recruitment now. If you have good contacts and treat people well, then it can be done.”

“The price of employment is a huge factor. We put up all our wages by 10% in April because of the minimum wage increase. Everyone above that level had to go up as well. You can only sell a sandwich and chips for so much so there is a pinch.”

JEFF

Bristol’s Better Food, Riverford Organic, Clearspring and Brown Cow Organics were among the big winners in the Soil Association’s BOOM awards, announced last month. Better Food took home the title of Best of Organic Independent Retail while Riverford won multiple gongs, as producers were also honoured in the organic certification bod s awards – now in their 10th year.

The Lifetime chievement award went to ain olhurst of box scheme and farming operation Tolhurst Organic.

he OO s est of Organic Market) are the s onl organic awards and are open to all certified organic businesses in the

The awards are run by Soil Association ertification ind a full list of winners at soilassociation.org

“To entice talent, companies are compelled to offer higher salaries and additional benefits but sustaining double-digit salary increases is simply not feasible in the long run, especially considering rising costs and declining consumer spending.”